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I once tried two at a time as well - it felt so frenzied, rushed and stressful. Never again!

Working on one, there's a real peace and calm while waiting for the work-piece to heat up. The soft roar of the forge is relaxing and reassuring, faithfully doing it's job as I plan out my next series of moves... and the rest of the world goes quiet.

I once tried two at a time as well - it felt so frenzied, rushed and stressful. Never again!

Working on one, there's a real peace and calm while waiting for the work-piece to heat up. The soft roar of the forge is relaxing and reassuring, faithfully doing it's job as I plan out my next series of moves... and the rest of the world goes quiet.

Doing two at a time takes all of that away!

Keep us posted!

I think once my shoulder gets stronger i may be able to draw out two at a time but more refined work requires more attention as you said. They also heat up faster as you thin things out, which just adds to the stress. I had a good rhythm but shoulder failed so i need the rest and even switched arms. It's definatly a tough racket. Working with my non-dominant arm is tricky but like anything it will improve with time. Having both arms avaiable helps to even out the burden.

So, last week i herniated a disc in my back. It's an old injury that comes back from time to time but only manifests as a bit of right side back pain extending down my right leg. Well, over the two weeks leading up to last week i had put my back through a lot of stress in addition to lifting a chop saw the wrong way. It all came to a head when i went to lift a half empty propane tank. I went to put it down and my legs gave out and i dropped like a sack of potatoes in white hot pain. Couldn't move legs out of shear pain. Luckily brother and father were there and lifted me to the couch, where i stayed for the day. Later that evening the pain was still too severe so an ambulance ride to the hospital was in order. I couldn't situp much less stand to get in the car. A few needles in the back later i was back home. Bed rest for four solid days, peeing in bottles, Evian, nothing but the best. Now, a week later I'm almost 100% but need to stretch it out. Needless to say my knife hobby took a back burner while i recover.

It's more to do with avoiding certain movements. I'm a gym rat by nature and exercise my lower back regularly. I will do some physiotherapy and will learn some good strength training routines for this type of injury. I feel as though my general level of fitness has staved off the worst case scenario.